What Should I Write on an Employee of the Year Plaque?

A great company runs on great employees, and not only that, but great morale. Showing employees appreciation comes in many flavors: bonuses, pizza parties, and, of course, appreciation plaques.

An Employee of the Year plaque is a truly special gift that not only shows your gratitude, but it’s something your employee can display and feel a sense of accomplishment. Everyone likes feeling that their effort is recognized.

Employee of the Year awards recognize more than performance—they celebrate leadership, consistency, and impact.

Your wording should feel professional, appreciative, and specific to the achievement. Below are some suggestions for what to write on an Employee of the Year Plaque.

Employee of Year plaques come in several forms. But what you write on a plaque can still follow a few simple rules.

A plaque can be classic wood:

A wooden plaque with a black background featuring the text 'Presented to Your Name' and 'Free Engraving Up To 40 Characters On Plaques,' adorned with three stars.

have a more modern metal or acrylic look:

Framed award plaque for 'LawStars Law Firm' recognizing Aaron Bell's hard work and dedication.

or even feature a photograph:

Framed award plaque displaying a space for a 7x5 photo and engraved text reading 'Megan Forrest Employee of the Year Congratulations! 2026'.

Whichever look you choose, Employee of the Year plaques are meant to acknowledge effort, achievement, or contribution. The wording should be clear, sincere, and specific—without being overly long.

Most Employee of the Year plaques include:

Title or award name (e.g., Employee of the Year)
Recipient name
Reason for recognition
Organization or company name
Date or year

Not every plaque needs all five elements, but using at least three creates clarity and balance

What to write on Single-Engraving Employee of the Year Plaques

A wooden award plaque featuring a black background with gold text and decorative elements, stating 'With Our Greatest Appreciation' and spaces for the recipient's name, company name, and date.

Employee plaques should balance professionalism with appreciation. Clear, sincere language works best.

Employee of the Year Presented To RECIPIENT NAME For Outstanding Leadership And Dedication to Excellence Company Name Year	Presented To: RECIPIENT NAME Your Commitment and Drive Set the Standard for Our Team’s Success Employee of the Year Year	Employee of the Year Award Presented To RECIPIENT NAME In Recognition of Exceptional Performance And Team Leadership Company Name Year
Presented To: RECIPIENT NAME For Consistent Excellence And Going Above And Beyond Every Day Employee of the Year Company Name Year	Employee of the Year RECIPIENT NAME Your Hard Work, Integrity, And Dedication Have Made A Lasting Impact Thank You Year	Presented To RECIPIENT NAME For Leadership, Commitment, And Outstanding Contribution To Our Success Employee of the Year Company Name Year

What to Write on Perpetual Employee of the Year Plaques with Individual Nameplate?

Wooden plaque with the title 'Salesperson of the Year' at the top, featuring engraved names and years for award recipients.

Perpetual plaques are ideal for ongoing awards. They feature a main plate and then a set of smaller plates. The main plate sets the theme, while individual nameplates are added over time.

These are usually displayed prominently in common areas of an office such as the reception, conference rooms, or even outdoors

Main Plate: Employee of the Year Recognizing Excellence Company Name Nameplate: RECIPIENT NAME Year	Main Plate: Employee of the Year Award Honoring Leadership and Dedication Company Name Nameplate: RECIPIENT NAME Year	Main Plate: Employee of the Year Celebrating Outstanding Achievement Company Name Nameplate: RECIPIENT NAME Year
Main Plate: Employee of the Year Recognition Setting the Standard for Success Company Name Nameplate: RECIPIENT NAME Year	Main Plate: Employee of the Year Honor Roll Recognizing Exceptional Contribution Company Name Nameplate: RECIPIENT NAME Year	Main Plate: Employee of the Year Plaque In Appreciation of Excellence Company Name Nameplate: RECIPIENT NAME Year

Helpful Tips for Writing a Great Plaque

No matter which plaque style you select, these general best practices will help your message feel clear, intentional, and well crafted:

Common dedication plaque phrasing includes:

Be brief: Plaques are most effective when limited to about 3–6 lines of text.
Leave room to breathe: Thoughtful spacing and white space make the engraving easier to read and elevate the overall look.
Verify details: Always confirm spelling, names, and dates before engraving begins.
Plan for the future: For perpetual plaques in particular, choose wording that will still feel relevant and appropriate years down the line.

Formatting Notes for a Well-Balanced Plaque

There’s a sweet spot between something too short to feel meaningful and something so long it overwhelms the space. The guidelines below can help you strike that balance and create a plaque that feels both heartfelt and easy to read.

How many lines should a plaque have?
This depends on the size of the plaque. You want the number of lines to fit right within the given space.
What’s the standard plaque format?
A classic format is award or dedication title, recipient name, reason for recognition, then the date or organization.
Is it okay to use quotes on plaques?
Absolutely—quotes add a great, elegant and personal touch when clear and concise.

Final Thoughts

With these examples and tips in mind, it’s worth remembering that the most meaningful plaques do more than commemorate a moment—they capture a story of gratitude, accomplishment, and recognition. Whether you’re selecting a single-engraving plaque for a special occasion, such as a walnut-finished plaque, or a perpetual plaque designed to celebrate excellence year after year, carefully chosen wording helps ensure the message endures.

If you’re ever unsure where to begin, focusing first on the recipient and their accomplishments is the simplest way to create wording that feels thoughtful, professional, and timeless.